Young Family Historians Essay Contest 2026
The 2026 American Ancestors Young Family Historians Essay Contest is open for students enrolled in grades 4–12 in public, private, and home schools across the nation and US territories.
We encourage teachers to use this essay contest as a class project. Our Family History Curriculum has everything you need to help students explore their roots, including inquiry-based lessons, teaching strategies, and editable student worksheets.
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
We encourage teachers to use this essay contest as a class project. Our Family History Curriculum has everything you need to help students explore their roots, including inquiry-based lessons, teaching strategies, and editable student worksheets.
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
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begin your genealogy research
Lisa Swigert has been a Berkshire OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) instructor for four years. Her over forty years’ experience in genealogical research has proven to be a useful resource for those interested in researching their family history. In a one day workshop, Lisa teaches topics ranging from getting started and organizing your research to finding the resources you need to answer your research questions. This course is perfect for the beginning genealogist as well as for people getting back into their family history research.
We will offer an advanced workshop later this year to provide in-depth guidelines on researching your Revolutionary War ancestors.
We will offer an advanced workshop later this year to provide in-depth guidelines on researching your Revolutionary War ancestors.
Date - Late Spring 2026
Price - FREE
Location - TBD
Time - TBD
1776 showing at the adams theater
A local historian will speak briefly before the film to lay the historical groundwork for the events depicted in 1776.
Our nation's fathers harmonize their way through the founding of America in this musical adapted from a popular Broadway show.
Representatives from the 13 colonies gather in Philadelphia with the aim of establishing a set of governmental rules for the burgeoning United States. Benjamin Franklin (Howard da Silva) and John Adams (William Daniels) charge Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) with the work of writing a statement announcing the new country's emancipation from British rule.
1776 earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography. It was named one of the Top Ten Films of 1972 by the National Board of Review.
Time - 2:30 PM -5 PM
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reading of the declaration of independence
- Join us as we celebrate the birth of our country with our community at the beautiful Greylock Glen Center, situated at the base of Mount Greylock, the tallest mountain in all of southern New England. Join other attendees while dressed in colonial era clothing.
- Commemorate and celebrate the birth of our country with our community through:
- Reading the Declaration of Independence
- A 13 gun salute with the firing of a cannon
- Drum and fife band
- Games popular with children during the American Revolution
- Colonial era cooking demonstration by the 18th Century Cook
- Community supper
- Handcrafted items offered for sale by local artisans
- Flags and copies of the Declaration of Independence will be handed out to attendees
- Raffle
Date - July 18, 2026
Time - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Price - FREE
Location -
Greylock Glen Center
165 Gould Road, Adams, MA 01220
life in colonial america
Experience life during the American Revolution through costumed reenactors, hands-on activities, and military demonstrations. Aspects of colonial American life will be available for you to experience – farming, woodworking, sailcloth making, metalworking, sewing, specialty tradespeople, education, games, gunsmith, military, and much more.
Date - To be determined
Time - 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Price - FREE
Location -
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MORE EVENTS
Date - To be determined
Time - To be determined
Price - FREE
Location -
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